Electric switch



W. A. ATWOOD ELECTRIC SWITCH Feb. 17, 1931.

Filed Jan. 51, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Winfield A.ATY-/ood, b

Hi5 ATTor-ney.

W. A. ATWOOD ELECTRIC SWITCH Feb. 17, 1931.

Filed Jan. 51, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Winfield A.Afwoocl by @M Hi5 ATTorneg.

Patented Feb. 1 7, 1 931 7 1,7

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I WINFIELD A. ATWOOD, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR- TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COIKPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEV] YORK ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed January 31, 1927. Serial No. 164,877.

My invention relates to improvements in shown in Fig. 2 an overset toggle which can electric switches and more particularly to be moved through the center position to efcircuit interrupters which after opening in feet the opening of the switch by any suitable response to an abnormal circuit condition can releasing means which may be responsive to 5 not be maintained closed it reclosed while abnormal circuit conditions. As shown this 55 the abnormal condition prevails, and an obmeans comprises an armature 16 which is arject of my invention is to provide an imranged to be attracted on the occurrence of a proved electric switch whose operating undetermined current flowing in the switch mechanism upon closing the switch autc- 4 and thereby to strike the tail portion of the matically assumes a condition which prevents la ch member 13 sufficiently hard to move the 60 the switch from being maintained closed unto gle 131d into the non-restraining posider abnormal circuit conditions. tion.

My invention will be better understood from or moving the brush 7 to the circuit closthe following description when considered in g A osition, I provide a mechanism having 15 connection with the accompanying drawings element 17 which may be pivotally con 65 and its scope will be pointed out in the apnected to th links 11 and the arm 10 and pended claims. wnicl. is arranged on movement in one direc- In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is tiointockwise as shown in the drawings, to an elevation of an electric switch embodying e: ge the arm and move it clockwise. As

20 my invention, the parts being shown in the shown this mechanism further comprises a 70 circuit open position of the switch, Fig. 2 is crank 18 which is mounted on a stationary a similar elevation of the switch just afterbepivot and which is connected to the eleing latched closed, and Fig. 3 is an elevation ment 17 by a l'nk 20. For actuating this of a part of the operating mechanism with .i chanism, I provide suitable means which the parts in the positions occupied just after may be power operated and which as shown 76 the condition. shown by the full lines in Fig. 2. com rises a electromagnet 21 having an op- Fbr the purpose of illustrating my inven- U somber 22 secured to its armature 23. tion, I have chosen an electric switch such as in order that the switch l can not be main" a circuit interrupter or breaker 4c of the tained in the closed position when it is relatched closed type. This comprises stationcl while abnormal circuit conditions pre- 80 ary contacts 5 and 6 and a movable circuit v M by keeping the electromagnet 21 enercontrolling member or cooperating Contact gized, T provide between the m chanism and such as a laminated brush 7 which is carried the operating member 22 a collapsible conby a brush lever 8 secured to a stationary nection comprising as shown levers 24 and pivot 9 and which is biased to the circuit and links 26 and 27. These are arranged 86 opening position. For moving the circuit to assume arigid condition shown in Fig. 1 controlling member 7 to one position, the cirunder the influence of gravity and a biasing cuit closing position as shown in Fig. 2, the means such as a spring 28. The levers 2-il switch 4 further comprises an operating arm and 25 are mounted on the pivot 19 and are 10 which is pivotally secured to the brush pivotally connected to the links 26 and 27 90 lever 8 and to links 11 which are secured to a which form a toggle arranged to be overset stationary pivot 12. For holding the circuit to inake'the connec ion rigid as shown in Fig. controlling member 7 in-the circuit control- 1, the amount of overset being limited by a ling position, there is provided a releasable stop 29. Through this connection when it is restraining or latching means comprising a rigid,the operating member 22 duringa part 95 latch member 13 pivoted to the brush lever 8 of its movement efiects the movement of the and carrying a pivoted latch such as apawl brush 7 to the circuit closing position and 1d which is arranged to engage a biased catch during a subsequent part of its movement of- 15 mounted in the arm 10. The latch memfects the collapse of the connection. For this her 18 and the pawl 14 form in the position purpose as the armature 23 is attracted on lot member 13, pawl 14, and catch spr1ng'32 will be compressed as shown in energization of the electromagnet 21 and the connection turned counter-clockwise as a unit about the pivot 19, a lug preferably adjustably positioned and mounted in the path of movement of the toggle link 27 is en gaged thereby as shown in Fig. 2 so that fur ther movement of the armature to the attracted position collapses the connection as shown in Fig. 3. In order to permit'this further movement o1 the operating member 22 after the switch 4 has been closed, I provide yielda-ble means such as a spring 31 whlch may be mounted in a housing on the crank 18 whereby relative movement between the crank 18 and lever 24 may occur after the switch 4 has been closed. f

' In order that the inertia of the element 1? and the parts connected thereto may not tend to delay the opening of the switch 4, I provide means such as a spring 32 in which energy is stored during the movement of the brush? to the circuit closing position and while the collapsible connection is rigid as shown in Fig. 2. Upon the collapse of the connection, this spring turns the cranklS clockwise to the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig.2 and full lines in Fig. 3, thus moving the element 17 out of the pathot movement of: the arm 10 as shownby the dotted lines in Fig. 2. For aborbing the shock due to the fall of the armatures 23 and parts whose weight may come on the operating member '22, I provide a resilient means such as a spring 33. p 7 I In considering the operation oi the illustrated embodiment oi my invention, it'will be assumed that the parts are positionedas' shown in Fig. 1, the switch 4: being open and the collapsible connection being rigid. Upon energizing the electromagnet 21, its armature 23 in moving the operating member 2211p. to

the position shown in Fig. 2 effects the movement of the brush 7 to the o1 cult closing position where it is restrained by the latch The *ig. '2. At this pcintin the movement of the armature 23, the toggle link 27 engages the lug 30 as shown in Fig.2 and further upward movement of thearmature collapses the toggle 26,27, 'tl e spring 31 yielding sutficiently to permit the necessary relative movement of the crank 18 and the lever 24. Upon the collapse of'the toggle 2627 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the crank 18 is turned clockwise by the spring 32 to the posir 1 tion shown by solid lines n Fig. 3 andby tne dotted lines in Flg. 2. In this movement of the crank 18,,theelement 17 is turned counter clockwise out of the way of the operating arm 10 so that the switch 4: is free to open without restraint from theinertia of these members. Even though the electromagnet 21 is kept energized so that its armature 23 re mains in the attracted'position shown in Fig.

shown in Fig. 1.

While I have shown and described my in vention in considerable detail, I do not desireto be limited to the exact arrangement shown, but seek to cover in the appended claims all those modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

IVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: r

1. An electric switch comprising a movable circuit'controlling member, and means for moving-said member to one position comprising a collapsible connection arranged to assume'a rigid condition and means operable in one movement for actuating the circuit controlling member to said position during part of said'movement onlywhensaid connection is rigid and for causing the collapse oflsaidfinovement. V g

2. An electric switch comprising a movof said connection during-a subsequent part hle circuit controlling member, means for actuating saidmember to one posltion comprising a collapsible connection arranged to assume a rigid concation and an, operating member operable in one movement for actuating through said connection when rigid the circuit controlling member tosaid position during apart of said movement andfor causing the collapse of said connection during a subsequent part of said movement, and

means for restoring'said connection to the rigidcondition; l 1

3. An electric switch comprising a movable circuit controlling member, and means for actuating said member to circuit closing" position comprising collapsible connection arranged to assume a'rigid condltionand an operating member operable on movement-in one direction for actuating throughsaid con- 7 nectlon when rigid the circuit- COHlLIOllIDg" straining the member in another position,

andmeans for movingthe member to said other position comprising a collapsible connection arranged to assumea rigid condition and an operating member operable in one movement for actuating through said connection when rigid. said circuit controlling member to said other position during a part of said movement and for causing the collapse said connection during a subsequent part L raid movei'i'ient.

5. An electri' switch coniprising movble circuit cont ing member, and means or actuating sai-o member to one position using a toggle arranged to assume a rigid condit on and a electroinzignet having arn'iature operable in one movement on energization of the electromagnet for actuating through said to gle when rigid said 11 ember to said position during a part of said movement to the attracted position and for causing the collapse of said toggle during the remainder of said movement to the attracted position.

6. An electric switch comprising a movable circuit controlling member, means for etuating said member to one position com prising a toggle arranged to assume a rigid condition and an electromagnet having an armature arranged on energization of the electroinagnet to efiect through sail toggle when the toggle is rigid the movement of member to said position during a part of its movement to the attracted position and during the remainder of its movement to the attracted position to effect the collapse of said e id means for restoring the tog- '.e to the rigid condition when the electroniagnet is deenergized.

". An electric switch comprising a move member means for moving the member a abl on position comprising a mechanism havelement arranged on movement in one tion to engage and move said member position, a collapsible connection arassinne a rigid condition, yieldable .iteiposed between said mechanism said connection and an operating memarranged during a part of its movement through said connection when the on is rigid the movement of said elesaid direction and during a subsesuent part of its movement to effectthe collapse of said connection.

8. An electric switch comprising a movable member, means for restraining the mem ber in one position, means for moving said member to said position comprising a mechanism having an element arranged on m0vement in one direction to engage an 0 move said member said position, a collapsible connection arranged to assume a rigid condition, and an operating member arranged during a part of its movemen to eiiect through said connect-ion when the connection is rigid the movement of said element in said direction and during a subsequent part of its movement to eiiect the collapse of said connection, and means in which ene y is stored during the movement of the element said direction for moving the element on the collapse of connection in the opposite direction out of the path of movement of the movable member.

9. A circuit interrupter comprising a movable con-tact biased for movement to the circuit open position, means for holding the contact in the circuit closing position, mcansfor releasing said holding means, and means for moving the contact to the circuit closing position comprising a collapsibleconnection ar ranged to assume a rigid condition and when collapsed to allow said contact to move to the circuit open position on the release of said holding means and an operating member operable in one movement for actuating through said connection when rigid the contact to the circuit closing position and for causing the collapse of said connection during a subsequent part of said movement.

10. A circuit interrupter comprising a movable contact biased for movement to the circuit open position, latching means for holding the contact in the circuit closing po sition, means for releasing said latching means, and means for moving the contact to the circuit closing position comprising a collapsible connection arranged to assume a rigid condition and when collapsed to allow said contact to move to the circuit open position on the release of said latching means and an operating member operable on movement in one direction for actuating through said connection when rigid the contact to the circuit closing position during a part of said movement and for causing the collapse of said connection on further movement in the same direction.

11. An electric switch including a movable circuit controlling member, operating means for effecting movement of the circuit controlling member to one position, a collapsible connection intermediate the operating means and the circuit controlling member adapted to assume a rigid condition and means for releasing said connection from its rigid condition during continued movement of the operating means after the circuit con trolling member has been brought to said position by the operating means.

12. An electric switch including amovable circuit controlling member, a movable operatin member for eiiecting movement of the circuit controlling member to the circuit controlling position, a connection intermediate the operating member and the circuit controlling member adapted to assume a rigid condition, means for putting said connection into its rigid condition when the operating member is substantially in the initial position of its path of movement whereby the circuit controlling member can be moved to said circuit controlling position by the movement of said operating member and means for releasing said connection from its rigid condition during continued movement of the operating member after it has brought the circuit controlling member to the circuit conion trolling position whereby the circuit controlling member is free to retrace its movement irrespective of the position of the operating member. 7

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of J anuary, 1927.

WINFIELD A. ATWOOD. 

